UFC 147 results: Fabricio Werdum quickly TKOs Mike Russow

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – As Fabricio Werdum continues his steady ascent up the heavyweight rankings, his overall game has never looked better.

In his latest appearance, the famed grappler out-struck fellow striker Mike Russow and picked up a first-round TKO victory in his home country.

The heavyweight fight took place at UFC 147 at Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Werdum struck first and immediately had Russow rattled with punches and knees. Low kicks further slowed Russow, who eventually was floored with a right uppercut midway through the round.

Russow, who never appeared comfortable in the fight, landed on his knees, and Werdum unloaded a relentless barrage of punches and hammerfists. Referee Herb Dean warned the American to fight back, but with the punches mounting, he ultimately was forced to stop the action at the 2:28 mark of the round.

After the fight, the Brazilian campaigned for a rematch with heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, who made his UFC debut in 2008 with an 81-second knockout of Werdum.

“I’m training a lot of Muay Thai,” said Werdum, who got his first knockout win in more than four years. “I really like ‘Cigano,’ but I’m ready for him.”

Werdum (16-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) is now 5-1 in his six fights, and the lone defeat came to then-Strikeforce champ and fellow current UFC contender Alistair Overeem. Russow (15-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), meanwhile, snaps an 11-fight win streak and suffers his first loss since early 2007.

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